Unit 3
Disaster
Sequence of Events

Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of Events

Portal Questions
This unit discusses the sequence of actions various levels ofgovernment take following a disaster.
If you believe you already know this information, answer
the questions below and check your answers on the next
page. If you answer each question correctly, you may
proceed to the next unit. If you miss any questions or if
you answer them correctly but want to increase yourknowledge, read this unit before proceeding.

1. List four actions the local government takes when a disaster occurs.

2. List three State government actions in response to a disaster that may lead to a
Federal declaration.

3. If Federal aid is requested by a State, what are three responsibilities of the Federalgovernment?

4. List the common action phases of disaster response at the State level of government.

State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of Events

Portal Questions
Answer Key
1. List four actions the local government takes when a disaster occurs.
= Provides the initial emergency response through its service agencies.
= Activates the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Emergency
Operations Plan (EOP).
= Coordinates the response with public and private organizations.
= Notifies State emergency management of the scope of the situation.
= Activates mutual aid.
= Proclaims a local state of emergency.
= Requests assistance from the State.
2. List three State government actions in response to a disaster that may lead to a
Federal declaration.
====Reviews and evaluates the local situation.
Determines if the situation is beyond the capability of the State.
Proclaims a state of emergency.
Requests Federal assistance.

3. If Federal aid is requested by a State, what are three responsibilities of the Federalgovernment?
= Conducts Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) with State and local
governments.
= Approves or denies requests for Federal assistance.
= If Federal assistance is approved:
Activates the Federal Response Plan (FRP).
Establishes the Emergency Support Team (EST).
Identifies the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) to respond.
4. List the common action phases of disaster response at the State level of government.
====
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Threat or Impact
Initial AssessmentResponseRecovery
State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of EventsObjectives
At the completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1. Identify the phases of the disaster assistance process.
2. Differentiate among the actions taken by the local, State, and Federal governments
during disaster response and recovery.
3. Explain the key steps in the response process.

TopicsOverview of Local, State, and Federal Responses to a Disaster
Outline of State Emergency Response and Recovery Activities
Key Steps in the Recovery Process
Learning Check
Preparation for State Coordinating Officer CourseState Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of Events

Overview of Local, State, andFederal Responses to a DisasterAt the local level…
Disasters always occur at the local level.
For some types of natural disasters, likeslow rising floods or approaching
hurricanes, warning is available. Other
disasters, like earthquakes, happen withlittle or no warning. The citizens in thearea where the event occurs and their local
governments and voluntary agencies are
the first to have to cope with the damage.
The local government maintains control ofall assets used in the response and recovery
efforts, regardless of the source of thoseassets. Local governments must plan andprepare for this role with the support of theState and Federal governments.

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State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of Events

Local response includes…
1. Acting as the primary “first provider” ofemergency response services.

6. Activating response agreements with Stateand Federal departments or agencies.

2. Activating the Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) and Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan.

7. Proclaiming a local state of emergency toauthorize:

3. Coordinating the response with public andprivate organizations and agencies.
4. Notifying the State Emergency
Management Agency of the situation byregularly submitting Situation Reports(SITREP).

= Using local resources;= Expending local funds; and= Waiving the usual bidding process forgoods and services.
8. Requesting the State Emergency
Management Agency to provide State
and/or Federal assistance.

5. Activating necessary local governments
and organizations that are signatory tomutual aid compacts.

State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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At the State level…
When a local jurisdiction does not have theresources it needs to respond to a disaster,
it turns to the State government forassistance. The State government may
have many local jurisdictions requesting
aid at the same time.
State governments serve as agents for thelocal jurisdictions if Federal disasterassistance is needed. Local governments
cannot directly access Federal programs.

State response includes…
1. Monitoring the situation.
2. Reviewing and evaluating local:= SITREPs= Response efforts= Requests for assistance3. Activating the State EOC to coordinate
available State assistance.
4. Determining if the situation is beyond thecapability of the State and if Federal
assistance is needed.

6. Requesting Federal assistance. Requests
can include:= A request for “emergency” or “majordisaster declaration” under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act, as amended; or= A request to Federal agencies under
their own authorities from existing or
emergency programs, such as the Small
Business Administration (SBA) or the
Department of Agriculture (USDA).

5. Proclaiming a state of emergency by theGovernor that:= Activates the State Disaster
Preparedness Plan;= Provides for the use of State assistanceor resources; and= Begins the process for requestingFederal assistance.

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State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of Events

At the Federal level…
When a disaster strikes and is so severethat the local governments and the State
governments together cannot provide theneeded resources, then the Federal
government becomes the source for thoseresources. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) is theFederal agency that coordinates theactivation and implementation of theFederal Response Plan (FRP), so the Stateswork with FEMA to access Federal
programs and support.

Federal response includes…
1. Conducting Joint PDAs with State and local
governments to identify:= Damage to individuals, farms, andbusinesses;= Damage to public agencies, special
districts, and private nonprofit
organizations; and= Potential mitigation activities that canoccur during repairs and before anotherdisaster.
2. Approving or denying requests for Federal
assistance. If approved:

3. Activating the procedures outlined in theFRP. The FRP determines how theresources of Federal agencies and theAmerican Red Cross will coordinate theirefforts to provide immediate response
assistance.
4. Establishing an Emergency Support Team(EST) to monitor operations fromWashington.
5. Identifying the necessary Emergency
Support Functions (ESF) to respond.

= Assigns a Federal Coordinating Officer(FCO) to head the Emergency
Response Team (ERT);= Sets up a Disaster Field Office (DFO) tocoordinate response and recovery
efforts; and= Works with the State Coordinating
Officer (SCO) to address response andrecovery efforts.

State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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Disaster Sequence of Events

Outline of State Emergency
Response and Recovery Activities
When a State responds to a disaster, itcommonly does so in four action phases:

1.

Threat or Impact

2.

Initial Assessment

3.

Response

4.

Recovery

Each phase is addressed in detail in theState’s own Emergency Operations Plan
(EOP). Certain key activities should occur,and they are included here as a checklist
you can use when a disaster occurs in yourState.

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State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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Disaster Sequence of Events

Phase 1: Threat or Impact
A DISASTER IS THREATENING AREAS OF YOUR STATE, OR A SUDDEN IMPACT EVENT HAS
OCCURRED.

ο Inform the Governor.
ο Activate the EOP (elements as needed) and the EOC.
ο Assess the need for immediate lifesaving measures, such as:= Evacuations= Shelter= Urban search and rescue

ο Establish liaisons with affected jurisdictions to initiate local damage assessments and receive
briefings from local agencies on:= The current situation= Initial response activities

ο Issue emergency or disaster proclamations by local officials or the Governor.
ο Deploy State resources, including:= Requesting assistance from relief organizations= Activating mutual aid agreements as applicable.

ο Issue assurances to the public.
ο Evaluate the need for Federal assistance and the consequences.

= Identify specific needs and types of assistance that cannot be furnished by State and local
resources.
= Prepare to make future commitments when requesting outside assistance.

ο Request a Presidential Disaster Declaration and Federal disaster assistance through theOffice of the Governor.

State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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Phase 2: Initial Assessment
THE MAGNITUDE OF THE DISASTER IS NOT KNOWN.

ο Assess the magnitude of the disaster by identifying:= What needs to be done and when
= How to protect people, the environment, and property from future damage.

ο Notify all appropriate parties, such as:= The Governor= Local governments= EOC staff= Response agencies= Support agencies= The public= The media

ο Mobilize necessary resources.
ο Activate the EOC and arrange for needed staff.

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State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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Disaster Sequence of Events

Phase 3: Response
AS LOCAL JURISDICTIONS REPORT THEIR STATUS AND REQUEST ASSISTANCE, THE
STATE COMMITS ITS RESOURCES TO RESPONSE.

ο Activate a “Crisis Action Team” (CAT), or similar state team.
ο Identify whether a smaller crisis management team (partial activation of the EOC) can
manage the disaster or whether the situation warrants full activation of the EOC.

ο Assess the situation by determining:= The jurisdictions that are involved= The potential that other jurisdictions will be impacted and when
= Existing emergency conditions= Existing dangerous situations= Necessary life-support resources= The status of emergency responders and resources, such as:− What has been or is being committed.
− The types and locations of backup resources, personnel, and inventories.
− The availability of these responders and resources.

ο Identify tasks by determining:= What activities are currently underway= What activities need to be done now= What activities need to be done in the next 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, etc.

ο Activate Emergency Public Information procedures, such as:= Using the Emergency Alert System= Setting up a Joint Information Center.

ο Initiate the assessment, documentation, and legal steps for declaring a state of emergency ordisaster. The State will send a letter to initiate the collection of financial data. This
information should be included in the State Plan.

ο Issue a declaration from the Governor. Remember, a timely declaration acknowledges
the severity of the situation and ensures that assistance will be prompt.

ο Determine whether the situation warrants Federal assistance.
ο Conduct Joint PDAs.
ο Request Federal assistance.

State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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Disaster Sequence of Events

Phase 4: Recovery
THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE DISASTER IS OVER;SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM RECOVERY BEGINS.

ο Determine the terms of assistance in the FEMA/State Agreement.
ο Meet with the FCO.
ο Prepare for the Federal/State Meeting.
ο Establish Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) locations, if used.
ο Disseminate disaster information to the media and the public through the Joint Information
Center.

ο Coordinate outreach efforts with community relations staff.
ο Begin infrastructure support by:= Establishing Public Assistance (PA) Applicant Briefings.
= Coordinating receipt of Requests for Public Assistance (RPA).
= Assisting local jurisdictions with Project Worksheets (PW).

ο Conduct mitigation efforts by:= Establishing the Interagency Mitigation Team.
= Completing the Mitigation Report.
= Beginning the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

ο Produce the State Hazard Mitigation Plan.

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State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of Events

Key Steps in the Recovery Process
The recovery process is a complex phase ofthe overall disaster response process. To
aid your understanding, review the steps inthis checklist.

Step 1:The Governor requests Federal assistance.
If the President denies Federal assistance, the cost of recovery is the responsibilityof the State and local governments.
If the President declares an Emergency or Major Disaster Declaration, all of theprovisions or applicable sections of Public Law 93-288 (as amended by Public Law
100-707), the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of1988, apply.

Step 2:The State Emergency Management Agency and FEMA
establish the DFO.
The President assigns an FCO to manage Federal activities.
The Governor assigns a SCO and a Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR)
to work in partnership with Federal officials and represent the State’s interest.

Step 3:

FEMA, the State, and local governments determine if
DRCs are needed for individuals to visit to gather
information.

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Step 4:

FEMA and the State coordinate with local emergency
management groups to conduct PA Applicants’Briefings.
The PA Applicants’ Briefings are for the officials of cities, counties, special districts,
public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations.
The briefings explain the types of Public Assistance available, application
procedures, program eligibility, and deadlines.

Step 5:

Prospective applicants fill out an RPA.
The Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form tells the type of damage theapplicant incurred.
Based on this information, joint Federal, State, and local teams will be developed toconduct Damage Survey Reports (DSR).

Step 6:

Prospective applicants appoint an “Applicant’s Agent”
and submit a “Designation of Applicant’s LocalAgent.”
The applicant’s agent is the Point of Contact (POC) and is the only official who canmake requests for funds on behalf of the applicant.
The applicant assigns a person to work with the team who is knowledgeable about:= The damage sites; and= How the work will be completed, either by the applicant or through an outsidecontract.

Step 7:

Detailed PWs are written by the teams.
The Project Worksheet (PW) becomes the basis for a project application.

Step 8:

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FEMA and the State work with the applicant on hazard
mitigation and insurance requirements.

State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of Events

Step 9:

FEMA and the State approve or disapprove projectapplications.
If approved:= Relevant State requirements are applied and forwarded to the applicant; and= Deadlines are established.
If time extensions or project modifications are required, the applicant must notify theState for possible approval.
Extensions are usually granted for situations beyond the control of the applicant.
Extensions are not usually granted for administrative delays.

Step 10: Each quarter the applicant will submit a status report tothe State for large projects that are not yet finished.
Step 11: When a project is complete, the applicant must submit
within 30 days a “Summary of Documentation” for theProject Worksheet.
The State will assign engineers to conduct final inspections, when necessary.

Step 12: The State will work with the applicant for final payment
and closeout.
Audits are conducted in compliance with the Single Audit Act.
If the applicant disagrees with the findings or approvals, the applicant can appeal
within 30 days.

State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

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Unit 3 Learning
Check
1. List a disaster response role unique to the local government.

2. What actions must be taken at the State government level before Federal resources
are available for the disaster response?

3. If Federal aid is requested, what are the first two responsibilities of the Federal
government?

4. List the common action phases of disaster response at the State level of government.
List two actions for each phase.

5. List five steps in the disaster recovery process.

Please see Appendix A, page A.4, to check your answers.

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State Disaster Management Course – IS 208

Unit 3
Disaster Sequence of Events

Preparation forState Coordinating
Officer Course
You have just completed an overview of the roles andresponsibilities of the levels of government and key
personnel through pre-disaster planning and the stages ofresponse and recovery to a disaster.
In preparation for your assignment as State Coordinating Officer (SCO) and yourattendance at the SCO course, please locate and review the following information that is
specific to your State.
1. How is the assignment as GAR made?

2. Is the SCO assigned to serve for single disasters or is the assignment an ongoing job
title?

3. Does your State have an ongoing relationship with the members of the FCO cadre inyour region?

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4. How often is your State EOP updated? Exercised?

5. Does your State EOP and its standard operating procedures employ implementation
checklists that are accurate and easy to use?

6. How does the State build local/State/Federal partnerships before a disaster occurs?

7. Do your State preparations anticipate the Federal response and the FRP structure? Is
there planned integration of services?

8. How does the State train and prepare its own staff members for disaster response?

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State Disaster Management Course – IS 208